Vitamin suppliments for the man - what and how much?

[willitbe]

Having finally persuaded dh to take some vitamin suppliments to improve the quality of his output, I now need to know what to get for him.

Of course my dh's question was "will taking zinc have any side effects, like making my morning glories better?" !!! So any replies to his question also gratefully recieved

So you know about the zinc then!

Fish oil for Omega 3 or flaxseed oil if you're veggie. Um...selenium (don't know what it is but it sounds like a planet or star) and B vitamins are apparently good for him as well as you. I'm happy to stand corrected by the way. There'll be others I'm sure. My man's on a vit/min supplement which includes the zinc and selenium and Omega 3 supps. I think the Fertilaid type stuff is a rip off. Plus he's reduced his booze and caffeine and I sprinkle sunflower seeds on his cereal when he's not looking. Not quite sure why, but I seem to remember they're a Good Thing.

Big doses can make you a bit nauseous sometimes and sleepy. So best to take it in the evening. Also it depletes copper which is A Good Thing when you are older as the body loses its ability to process copper, and copper is implicated with Alzheimer's. But I suppose if he is not "older" he could supplement copper sulphate as well, though that might defeat the point.

Selenium supplements are not as good as Brazil nuts I think. A handful a day. (Also v good for smokers).

Taking such supplements won't do any harm but whether these will make any real difference is a moot point. Simple remedies like this will not improve sperm count.

Sperms are complicated things and there is much about these that are not understood fully.

dutch study

on web md

That's really interesting. I wonder if it's folic acid and specifically zinc sulfate, or would folic acid (in a B vitamin complex) and the zinc contained within a multi vitamin and mineral work in the same way. Any thoughts anyone? (don't know why I'm asking. I have no reason to believe yet that my man has a low sperm count! Unless his childhood mumps, which he did have, come into force? Oh God, an entirely new paranoia to obsess about...)

Multivits are supposed to be a bit rubbish and low.

Yes the study does talk about men with a low sperm count but then maybe it works with men with a normal sperm count too to send them on the superhighway.

Apparently high dose Vit C is good as well?

Sorry not to have more detail.

Give Wellman Conception a go but more important he must not smoke, plenty of sleep, excercise, reduce stress, eat healthily, and keep alcohol strictly down to less than 20 units per week and 10 if possible.

This is all great advice, I will be getting him onto suppliments as soon as I can.

So it's: 5mg Folic acid, 66 mg Zinc Sulfate and a good dose of vitamin C, with a little bit of omega 3's.

Great this is very helpful. Thank you.

And I will reassure him that you have all said not unwanted side effects!